Oldest Feathered Dinosaur Fossil Found
- 11 years ago
Dinosaurs continue to be an intense research subject among scientists around the world. Paleontologists in China have discovered what might be the oldest feathered dinosaur specimen.
Dinosaurs continue to be an intense research subject among scientists around the world.
Paleontologists in China have discovered what might be the oldest feathered dinosaur specimen.
Previously, the oldest known species of bird is the Archaeopteryx, which is another feathered dinosaur.
The latest discovery called the Aurornis xui, is believed to be around 160 million years old, which is about 10 million years older than Archaeopteryx.
Found in the Northeastern Liaoning Province of China, the 20 inch tall fossil shows that the animal was about the size of a chicken.
Deciding whether the species is technically a bird, or should be classified as something else, is an issue that is up for debate among paleontologists.
Another point of discussion is whether the fossil has been altered or forged.
Some believe as much as 80 percent of fossil specimens in Chinese museums are artificially enhanced.
The illicit fossil trade in China is a huge market, and the methods used for excavating and preserving fossils have yielded a commercial industry network of museums and often inexperienced paleontologists.
Dinosaurs continue to be an intense research subject among scientists around the world.
Paleontologists in China have discovered what might be the oldest feathered dinosaur specimen.
Previously, the oldest known species of bird is the Archaeopteryx, which is another feathered dinosaur.
The latest discovery called the Aurornis xui, is believed to be around 160 million years old, which is about 10 million years older than Archaeopteryx.
Found in the Northeastern Liaoning Province of China, the 20 inch tall fossil shows that the animal was about the size of a chicken.
Deciding whether the species is technically a bird, or should be classified as something else, is an issue that is up for debate among paleontologists.
Another point of discussion is whether the fossil has been altered or forged.
Some believe as much as 80 percent of fossil specimens in Chinese museums are artificially enhanced.
The illicit fossil trade in China is a huge market, and the methods used for excavating and preserving fossils have yielded a commercial industry network of museums and often inexperienced paleontologists.